Page 165 - Raw Diet References Book 2019

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MAINTENANCE ENERGY REQUIREMENTS DETERMINATION

Determination of maintenance energy requirements, together with assessment of food en-
ergy content, is the keystone of rationing.
On surveying the rich literature about dog nutrition, it can be noted that relatively few
works have been published about this very important topic, in comparison with those on
mineral, vitamin and protein requirements.
Nutritional parameters proposed, such as McCay’s (1943) parameters, are not reliable
when applied to each canine breed. NRC (1985) suggested two equations that are still widely
used but have been recently questioned by several authors. This topic has a wide practical
interest, so, we have collected the most authoritative works published in the international
literature, in order to verify possible differences and to understand the reasons for these
differences.
In Table I, equations proposed by different authors are reported; and results of some
equationsappliedtodifferentbodyweightclassesareshowninGraphI.Differencesbetween
maximum and minimum values are as high as 100%, obviously a very high percentage that
can thwart rationing efficacy.
Why are these differences so large?
In the dog, there are several relevant variables influencing maintenance requirements.
Evaluation of these is essential for the correct assessment of requirements.
The main variables to consider are as follows:

TABLE I
Metabolizable energy (kcal) requirements equations in dogs and indications of application

Author Proposed equation Indications

Patil and Bisby (2001) 94 × P 0,75 Not active, old, neutered,
quiet and sedentary dogs
Burger (1994) 97 × P 0,75
Manner (1991) ∗ 103 × P 0,75
Finke (1991) 103 × P 0,75
German Society of Nutritional 108 × P 0,75
Physiology (1989)
Finke (1991) 117 × P 0,75 Normal dogs, dogs living in kennels or
in group, young dogs
NRC (1974) 132 × P 0,75
Kendall et al. (1983) 148 × P 0,75 Very active dogs, young and active dogs
Burger (1994) 175 × P 0,75
Patil and Bisby (2001) 183 × P 0,75 Nervous and hyperactive dogs, Great Danes
living outdoor, Terriers
Zentek and Meyer (1992) 200 × P 0,75

Data obtained in metabolic room.
∗